Tamper-proof quality management barcode indicators

ABSTRACT

A tamper-proof barcoded quality indicator operative to provide a machine-readable indication of exceedance of time and temperature thresholds following actuation thereof, including a first barcode including a first colorable area and being machine-readable before exceedance of the time and temperature thresholds, a second barcode including a second colorable area and not being machine-readable before exceedance of the time and temperature thresholds, a coloring agent located at a first location on the indicator, a coloring agent pathway operative to allow the coloring agent to move, at a rate which is at least partially a function of time, from the first location to the first and second colorable areas simultaneously for simultaneous coloring thereof upon exceedance of the time and temperature thresholds, thereby causing the first barcode to become unreadable and at the same time causing the second barcode to become machine-readable, and a tamper-proof actuator element operative to actuate the indicator.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Reference is made to the following patent and patent application, ownedby assignee, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated byreference:

U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,562,811 and 8,091,776; and

U.S. Published Patent Application Nos.: 2009/0230182; 2010/0219235;2011/0006109 and 2011/0006115; and

U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 13/321,467; 13/321,477 and 13/323,906.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to tamper-proof quality management barcodeindicators.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following publications are believed to represent the current stateof the art:

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,805,245; 6,009,400; 6,685,094; 6,758,397; 7,562,811;8,091,776 and RE 39,266; and

U.S. Published Patent Application Nos.: 2009/0230182, 2010/0219235,2011/0006109 and 2011/0006115.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide tamper-proof quality managementbarcode indicators.

There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention a tamper-proof barcoded quality indicator operative toprovide a machine-readable indication of exceedance of at least one timeand temperature threshold following actuation thereof, the indicatorincluding a first barcode including at least one first colorable area,the first barcode being machine-readable before exceedance of the atleast one time and temperature threshold, at least a second barcodeincluding at least one second colorable area, the second barcode notbeing machine-readable before exceedance of the at least one time andtemperature threshold, a coloring agent located at a first location onthe indicator, a coloring agent pathway operative, following actuationof said quality indicator, to allow the coloring agent to move, at arate which is at least partially a function of time, from the firstlocation to the first and second colorable areas simultaneously forsimultaneous coloring thereof upon exceedance of the time andtemperature threshold, thereby causing the first barcode to becomeunreadable and at the same time causing the second barcode to becomemachine-readable, and a tamper-proof actuator element operative toactuate the quality indicator upon removal thereof from said qualityindicator.

Preferably, the tamper-proof actuator element is disposed between thecoloring agent and the coloring agent pathway prior to actuation of thequality indicator, thereby preventing passage of the coloring agent tothe coloring agent pathway. Preferably, the tamper-proof actuatorelement is formed of a thin flexible material. Preferably, thetamper-proof actuator element includes a pullable actuator tab whichprotrudes from the quality indicator prior to actuation of thetamper-proof barcoded quality indicator. Preferably, the actuation ofthe quality indicator includes irreversibly removing the tamper-proofactuator element from the quality indicator, thereby irreversiblyenabling passage of the coloring agent to the coloring agent pathway.

Preferably, the quality indicator also includes a release layer which isadhered to an adhesive back surface of the quality indicator.Preferably, removal of the release layer is operative to expose theadhesive back surface which is operable for adhering the qualityindicator to a product for which quality is to be monitored. Preferably,the release layer includes a release tab operable for enabling releaseof the release layer from the adhesive back surface.

There is also provided in accordance with another preferred embodimentof the present invention a barcoded quality indicator operative toprovide a machine-readable indication of exceedance of at least one timeand temperature threshold following actuation thereof, the indicatorincluding a first barcode including at least one first colorable area,the first barcode being machine-readable before exceedance of the atleast one time and temperature threshold, at least a second barcodeincluding at least one second colorable area, the second barcode notbeing machine-readable before exceedance of the at least one time andtemperature threshold, a coloring agent located at a first location onthe indicator, a coloring agent pathway operative, following actuationof said quality indicator, to allow the coloring agent to move, at arate which is at least partially a function of time, from the firstlocation to the first and second colorable areas simultaneously forsimultaneous coloring thereof upon exceedance of the time andtemperature threshold, thereby causing the first barcode to becomeunreadable and at the same time causing the second barcode to becomemachine-readable, an actuator element operative to actuate the qualityindicator upon removal thereof from said quality indicator, and asealing element operative to seal the coloring agent pathway subsequentto removal of the actuator element.

Preferably, the actuator element is disposed between the coloring agentand the coloring agent pathway prior to actuation of the qualityindicator, thereby preventing passage of the coloring agent to thecoloring agent pathway. Preferably, the actuator element includes apullable actuator tab which protrudes from the quality indicator priorto actuation of the barcoded quality indicator. Preferably, theactuation of the quality indicator includes irreversibly removing theactuator element from the quality indicator, thereby irreversiblyenabling passage of the coloring agent to the coloring agent pathway.

Preferably, the quality indicator also includes a release layer which isadhered to an adhesive back surface of the quality indicator.Preferably, removal of the release layer is operative to expose theadhesive back surface which is operable for adhering the qualityindicator to a product for which quality is to be monitored. Preferably,the release layer includes a release tab operable for enabling releaseof the release layer from the adhesive back surface.

Preferably, the sealing element includes a sealing tab operable forfoldable sealing of the coloring agent pathway. Preferably, the sealingtab is operable for selectable adherence to the adhesive back surface,thereby sealing the coloring agent pathway.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood more fully from the followingdetailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a simplified illustration of the structure of a tamper-proofbarcoded quality indicator, constructed and operative in accordance witha preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a simplified illustration of the assembled tamper-proofbarcoded quality indicator of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are simplified pictorial illustrations of steps inthe actuation of the tamper-proof barcoded quality indicator of FIGS. 1and 2;

FIG. 4 is a simplified illustration of the structure of a barcodedquality indicator, constructed and operative in accordance with anotherpreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a simplified illustration of the assembled barcoded qualityindicator of FIG. 4; and

FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D and 6E are simplified pictorial illustrations ofsteps in the actuation of the barcoded quality indicator of FIGS. 4 and5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which is a simplified illustration ofthe structure of a tamper-proof barcoded quality indicator, constructedand operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, and to FIG. 2, which is a simplified illustration of theassembled tamper-proof barcoded quality indicator of FIG. 1.

The tamper-proof barcoded quality indicator of FIGS. 1 & 2 is preferablyoperative to provide a machine-readable indication of exceedance of atleast one time and temperature threshold following actuation thereof,and includes a first barcode including at least one first colorablearea, the first barcode being machine-readable before exceedance of theat least one time and temperature threshold and at least a secondbarcode including at least one second colorable area, the second barcodenot being machine-readable before exceedance of the at least one timeand temperature threshold.

Preferably, the indicator also includes a coloring agent located at afirst location on the indicator and a coloring agent pathway operativeto allow the coloring agent to move, at a rate which is at leastpartially a function of time, from the first location to the first andsecond colorable areas simultaneously for simultaneous coloring thereofupon exceedance of the time and temperature threshold, thereby causingthe first barcode to become unreadable and at the same time causing thesecond barcode to become machine-readable.

A system and method for quality management which utilizes the barcodedquality indicator of FIGS. 1 & 2 is clearly described, inter alia, inU.S. Pat. No. 8,091,776 of the applicant, which is incorporated hereinby reference.

It is a particular feature of this embodiment of the present inventionthat the tamper-proof barcoded quality indicator of FIG. 1 also includesa tamper-proof actuator element operative to prevent passage of thecoloring agent to the coloring agent pathway prior to removal thereof,and to irreversibly enable passage of the coloring agent to the coloringagent pathway following removal thereof.

As shown in FIGS. 1 & 2, tamper-proof barcoded quality indicator 100preferably includes a barcode defining layer 102 having a multiplicityof barcodes 110 printed thereupon. Barcode defining layer 102 ispreferably formed of a transparent substrate.

A coloring agent pathway 120 is preferably disposed behind barcodedefining layer 102. A tamper-proof actuator pull strip 122 is preferablydisposed between coloring agent pathway 120 and a back layer 130 havinga coloring element 132 mounted thereupon, which coloring element 132preferably contains coloring agents. Tamper-proof actuator pull strip122 preferably prevents the passage therethrough of coloring agents fromcoloring element 132 to coloring agent pathway 120 when qualityindicator 100 in a pre-actuated state.

A release layer 134 is preferably adhered to an adhesive back surface136 of back layer 130. Removal of release layer is operative to exposeadhesive back surface 136 which is operable for adhering qualityindicator 100 to a product for which quality is to be monitored. Releaselayer 140 preferably includes a release tab 138 operable for easyrelease of release layer 140 from back surface 142.

FIG. 2 illustrates tamper-proof barcoded quality indicator 100 in anassembled, pre-actuated state. As shown particularly in FIG. 2, anactuator tab 140 of tamper-proof actuator pull strip 122 preferablyprotrudes from quality indicator 100, between coloring agent pathway 120and back layer 130.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, which are simplifiedpictorial illustrations of steps in the actuation of the tamper-proofbarcoded quality indicator of FIGS. 1 & 2. As shown in FIGS. 3A-3C,after affixing tamper-proof barcoded quality indicator 100 to a product190, indicator 100 is actuated by pulling on actuator tab 140 oftamper-proof actuator pull strip 122 and removing tamper-proof actuatorpull strip 122 from between coloring agent pathway 120 and back layer130. It is appreciated that removal of tamper-proof actuator pull strip122 from between coloring agent pathway 120 and back layer 130 allowsthe passage of coloring agents contained in coloring element 132 tocoloring agent pathway 120, thereby actuating proof barcoded qualityindicator 100.

It is appreciated that tamper-proof actuator pull strip 122 is formed ofa flexible material, such as a thin paper. Therefore, as shown inparticular in FIG. 3C, it is a particular feature of this embodiment ofthe present invention that once removed from between coloring agentpathway 120 and back layer 130, tamper-proof actuator pull strip 122cannot be re-inserted between coloring agent pathway 120 and back layer130 due to the flexible nature of tamper-proof actuator pull strip 122,thereby preventing indicator 100 from returning to a pre-actuated state.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which is a simplified illustration ofthe structure of a barcoded quality indicator, constructed and operativein accordance with another preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, and to FIG. 5, which is a simplified illustration of theassembled barcoded quality indicator of FIG. 4.

The barcoded quality indicator of FIGS. 4 & 5 is preferably operative toprovide a machine-readable indication of exceedance of at least one timeand temperature threshold following actuation thereof, and includes afirst barcode including at least one first colorable area, the firstbarcode being machine-readable before exceedance of the at least onetime and temperature threshold and at least a second barcode includingat least one second colorable area, the second barcode not beingmachine-readable before exceedance of the at least one time andtemperature threshold.

Preferably, the indicator also includes a coloring agent located at afirst location on the indicator and a coloring agent pathway operativeto allow the coloring agent to move, at a rate which is at leastpartially a function of time, from the first location to the first andsecond colorable areas simultaneously for simultaneous coloring thereofupon exceedance of the time and temperature threshold, thereby causingthe first barcode to become unreadable and at the same time causing thesecond barcode to become machine-readable.

A system and method for quality management which utilizes the barcodedquality indicator of FIGS. 4 & 5 is clearly described, inter alia, inU.S. Pat. No. 8,091,776 of the applicant, which is incorporated hereinby reference.

Preferably, the barcoded quality indicator of FIGS. 4 and 5 alsoincludes an actuator element operative to prevent passage of thecoloring agent to the coloring agent pathway prior to removal thereof,and to irreversibly enable passage of the coloring agent to the coloringagent pathway following removal thereof.

It is a particular feature of this embodiment of the present inventionthat the barcoded quality indicator of FIGS. 4 and 5 also includes asealing element operative to seal the coloring agent pathway subsequentto removal of the actuator element.

As shown in FIGS. 4 & 5, barcoded quality indicator 200 preferablyincludes a barcode defining layer 202 having a multiplicity of barcodes210 printed thereupon. Barcode defining layer 202 is preferably formedof a transparent substrate, and is preferably formed with a foldablesealing tab 212.

A coloring agent pathway 220 is preferably disposed behind barcodedefining layer 202. An actuator pull strip 222 is preferably disposedbetween coloring agent pathway 220 and a back layer 230 having acoloring element 232 mounted thereupon, which coloring element 232preferably contains coloring agents. Actuator pull strip 222 preferablyprevents the passage therethrough of coloring agents from coloringelement 232 to coloring agent pathway 220 when quality indicator 200 ina pre-actuated state.

A release layer 234 is preferably adhered to an adhesive back surface236 of back layer 230. Removal of release layer is operative to exposeadhesive back surface 236 which is operable for adhering qualityindicator 200 to a product for which quality is to be monitored. Releaselayer 234 preferably includes a release tab 238 operable for easyrelease of release layer 234 from back surface 236.

FIG. 5 illustrates barcoded quality indicator 200 in an assembled,pre-actuated state. As shown particularly in FIG. 5, an actuator tab 240of actuator pull strip 222 preferably protrudes from quality indicator200, between coloring agent pathway 220 and back layer 230.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D and 6E, which aresimplified pictorial illustrations of steps in the actuation of thebarcoded quality indicator of FIGS. 4 and 5. As shown in FIGS. 6A & 6B,indicator 200 is actuated by pulling on actuator tab 240 of actuatorpull strip 222 and removing actuator pull strip 222 from betweencoloring agent pathway 220 and back layer 230. It is appreciated thatremoval of actuator pull strip 222 from between coloring agent pathway220 and back layer 230 allows the passage of coloring agents containedin coloring element 232 to coloring agent pathway 220, thereby actuatingproof barcoded quality indicator 200. It is also appreciated thatremoval of actuator pull strip 222 from between coloring agent pathway220 and back layer 230 is operative to expose an open slit 250 formedbetween coloring agent pathway 220 and back layer 230.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6C, release layer 234 is removed fromadhesive back surface 236, thereby exposing adhesive back surface 236which is operable for adhering quality indicator 200 to a pallet ofproduce 260 for which quality is to be monitored. Thereafter, as shownin FIG. 6D, slit 250 is sealed by folding foldable sealing tab 212 overslit 250 and adhering tab 212 to adhesive back surface 236.

It is a particular feature of this embodiment of the present inventionthat sealing of slit 250 by folding sealing tab 212 over slit 250 ontoadhesive back surface 236 is operative to prevent environmentalelements, such as moisture, from entering slit 250. It is appreciatedthat entry of moisture into slit 250 may damage, for example, any one ofbarcode defining layer 202, barcodes 210, and coloring agents containedin coloring element 232 or located in coloring agent pathway 220,thereby rendering quality indicator 200 inaccurate.

As shown in FIG. 6E, after sealing of slit 250, indicator 200 is adheredto pallet 260.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the presentinvention is not limited by what has been particularly shown anddescribed hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present inventionincludes both combinations and subcombinations of various featuresdescribed hereinabove and variations and modifications thereof whichwould occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing,which are not in the prior art.

1. A tamper-proof barcoded quality indicator operative to provide amachine-readable indication of exceedance of at least one time andtemperature threshold following actuation thereof, said indicatorcomprising: a first barcode including at least one first colorable area,said first barcode being machine-readable before exceedance of said atleast one time and temperature threshold; at least a second barcodeincluding at least one second colorable area, said second barcode notbeing machine-readable before exceedance of said at least one time andtemperature threshold; a coloring agent located at a first location onsaid indicator; a coloring agent pathway operative, following actuationof said quality indicator, to allow said coloring agent to move, at arate which is at least partially a function of time, from said firstlocation to said first and second colorable areas simultaneously forsimultaneous coloring thereof upon exceedance of said time andtemperature threshold, thereby causing said first barcode to becomeunreadable and at the same time causing said second barcode to becomemachine-readable; and a tamper-proof actuator element operative toactuate said quality indicator upon removal thereof from said qualityindicator.
 2. A tamper-proof barcoded quality indicator according toclaim 1 and wherein said tamper-proof actuator element is disposedbetween said coloring agent and said coloring agent pathway prior toactuation of said quality indicator, thereby preventing passage of saidcoloring agent to said coloring agent pathway.
 3. A tamper-proofbarcoded quality indicator according to claim 1 and wherein saidtamper-proof actuator element is formed of a thin flexible material. 4.A tamper-proof barcoded quality indicator according to claim 1 andwherein said tamper-proof actuator element comprises a pullable actuatortab which protrudes from said quality indicator prior to actuation ofsaid tamper-proof barcoded quality indicator.
 5. A tamper-proof barcodedquality indicator according to claim 1 and wherein said actuation ofsaid quality indicator comprises irreversibly removing said tamper-proofactuator element from said quality indicator, thereby irreversiblyenabling passage of said coloring agent to said coloring agent pathway.6. A tamper-proof barcoded quality indicator according to claim 1 andwherein said quality indicator also comprises a release layer which isadhered to an adhesive back surface of said quality indicator.
 7. Atamper-proof barcoded quality indicator according to claim 6 and whereinremoval of said release layer is operative to expose said adhesive backsurface which is operable for adhering said quality indicator to aproduct for which quality is to be monitored.
 8. A tamper-proof barcodedquality indicator according to claim 6 and wherein said release layercomprises a release tab operable for enabling release of said releaselayer from said adhesive back surface.
 9. A barcoded quality indicatoroperative to provide a machine-readable indication of exceedance of atleast one time and temperature threshold following actuation thereof,said indicator comprising: a first barcode including at least one firstcolorable area, said first barcode being machine-readable beforeexceedance of said at least one time and temperature threshold; at leasta second barcode including at least one second colorable area, saidsecond barcode not being machine-readable before exceedance of said atleast one time and temperature threshold; a coloring agent located at afirst location on said indicator; a coloring agent pathway operative,following actuation of said quality indicator, to allow said coloringagent to move, at a rate which is at least partially a function of time,from said first location to said first and second colorable areassimultaneously for simultaneous coloring thereof upon exceedance of saidtime and temperature threshold, thereby causing said first barcode tobecome unreadable and at the same time causing said second barcode tobecome machine-readable; an actuator element operative to actuate saidquality indicator upon removal thereof from said quality indicator; anda sealing element operative to seal said coloring agent pathwaysubsequent to removal of said actuator element.
 10. A barcoded qualityindicator according to claim 9 and wherein said actuator element isdisposed between said coloring agent and said coloring agent pathwayprior to actuation of said quality indicator, thereby preventing passageof said coloring agent to said coloring agent pathway.
 11. A barcodedquality indicator according to claim 9 and wherein said actuator elementcomprises a pullable actuator tab which protrudes from said qualityindicator prior to actuation of said barcoded quality indicator.
 12. Abarcoded quality indicator according to claim 9 and wherein saidactuation of said quality indicator comprises irreversibly removing saidactuator element from said quality indicator, thereby irreversiblyenabling passage of said coloring agent to said coloring agent pathway.13. A tamper-proof barcoded quality indicator according to claim 9 andwherein said quality indicator also comprises a release layer which isadhered to an adhesive back surface of said quality indicator.
 14. Atamper-proof barcoded quality indicator according to claim 13 andwherein removal of said release layer is operative to expose saidadhesive back surface which is operable for adhering said qualityindicator to a product for which quality is to be monitored.
 15. Atamper-proof barcoded quality indicator according to claim 13 andwherein said release layer comprises a release tab operable for enablingrelease of said release layer from said adhesive back surface.
 16. Abarcoded quality indicator according to claim 9 and wherein said sealingelement comprises a sealing tab operable for foldable sealing of saidcoloring agent pathway.
 17. A barcoded quality indicator according toclaim 16 and wherein said sealing tab is operable for selectableadherence to said adhesive back surface, thereby sealing said coloringagent pathway.